Archie Stark
Encyclopedia
Archibald “Archie” Stark (December 21, 1897 in Glasgow
, Scotland
– May 27, 1985 in Kearny, New Jersey
) was a U.S. soccer forward
who became the dominant player in U.S. leagues during the 1920s and 1930s. He spent nine seasons in the National Association Football League and another twelve in the American Soccer League
. He also earned two caps, scoring five goals, as a member of the U.S. national team
. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
in 1950.
where Stark immediately began his organized soccer career with the West Hudson Juniors. Interestingly for a player who made his name as a forward
, Stark began as a defender
with the Juniors. Stark turned professional a year later when he signed with the Scottish-Americans
of the National Association Football League for the 1912-1913 season. At the time he was only fourteen. He remained with the Scottish-Americans for four seasons. In 1915, the Scottish-Americans won the 1915 American Cup
, defeating Brooklyn Celtic 1-0 on a Stark goal. The next season, the team lost the AFA championship game when Bethlehem Steel
crushed them 3-0. At the end of the 1915-1916 season, Stark moved to the Bayonne, New Jersey
club Babcock and Wilcox
.
However, World War I
intervened and Stark joined the U.S. Army in 1917, briefly interrupting his career. Stark served in France.
final, losing to Bethlehem Steel
by a 2-0 score. Following the cup, Stark joined Bethlehem for the team’s August 10, 1919 to September 24, 1919 tour of Sweden
and Denmark
. On that tour, Bethlehem went 6-2-6 (w-l-t). Stark then moved to Kearny, New Jersey
club Erie A.A. of the NAFBL. In a controversial decision, league officials awarded Erie A.A. the title even though Bethlehem Steel had one more point. Bethlehem Steel appealed to the U.S. Soccer Football Association which reversed the decision. Stark remained with Erie A.A., now known as Harrison Erie S. C. through the end of the 1920-1921 season, but when several teams defected to form a new league, to be known as the American Soccer League
, the NAFBL folded. Stark then jumped to the New York Field Club
of the newly established American Soccer League
(ASL) in 1921. By this time he had gained a reputation as a prolific scorer and was sought after by several teams. In three seasons with New York F.C., Stark scored forty-five goals in sixty-nine games. In his last season with the team, he bagged nearly a goal a game when he scored twenty-one in twenty-five games.
picked up Stark from New York as New York rapidly sold its players to pay significant debts. Stark’s move to Bethlehem would gain him his greatest recognition as Bethlehem moved him to center forward from the right wing position he had played with New York. Bethlehem had some of the deepest pockets in the ASL and used that money to sign several top Scottish internationals. Surrounded by talent, Stark responded by scoring sixty-seven goals in forty-four games his first season with the team. He also scored three more goals in two league cup games. The next season, Stark earned his first title with Bethlehem as the team took the 1926 National Challenge Cup
. Bethlehem rolled over Ben Millers
by a score of 7-2, Stark scored three of the goals. Bethlehem went on to take the 1926-1927 ASL title, then the 1928-1929 and fall 1929 Eastern Soccer League titles.
In what became known as the Soccer Wars, FIFA
declared the ASL and “outlaw league” in 1927. Reasons for this centered around a dispute between the ASL and FIFA/USSFA about control of the sport in the U.S. FIFA and USSFA demanded that all ASL teams enter the U.S. Open Cup. The ASL refused to force its teams to do so and FIFA labeled the ASL an “outlaw league”. The ASL, with U.S. federal law on its side, announced it would no longer abide by FIFA rules and would boycott FIFA events, including the U.S. Open Cup. The ASL, as one of the most competitive and highest paying leagues in the world at the time expected that many prominent international players would continue to flock to the ASL in defiance of FIFA. In order to reduce the prominence of the ASL, USSFA organized a rival league, the Eastern Soccer League in October 1928. Bethlehem Steel, in defiance of the ASL, had elected to enter the U.S. Open Cup and was suspended by the league seven games into the 1928-1929 season, leading Bethlehem to join the ESL. Stark, and Bethlehem Steel, would remain in the ESL for two seasons before returning to the ASL for the team’s final season. However, neither Bethlehem Steel nor the ASL could withstand the financial strains imposed by this situation and the Soccer War led to the demise of the ASL and Bethlehem Steel. When Bethlehem Steel folded in 1930, Stark joined the Fall River Marksmen
of a tour of Europe. However, the team faced financial difficulties and left the players stranded in Budapest
where they returned to the U.S. as third class passengers.
for the 1930-1931 ASL season. He remained with the Americans through the demise of the ASL in 1933. However, the statistics for the last two ASL seasons have been lost and we no longer know how many goals Stark scored during them.
After the first ASL finally collapsed in 1933, Stark ended up with Kearny Irish
which joined the new American Soccer League
(ASL II) for the league’s inaugural 1933-1934 season. The Irish took the league title and Stark shared the scoring title with Razzo Carrol of the Kearny Scots
.
, both in games against Canada
. His first cap came in a 1-0 loss to Canada in Quebec
in June. In November, Canada came to the U.S. where Stark scored five goals as the U.S. easily dispatched its northern neighbors 6-1.
While Stark received an invitation to play on the national team
at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
, he declined the invitation for business reasons.
In 1950, Stark was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
.
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
– May 27, 1985 in Kearny, New Jersey
Kearny, New Jersey
Kearny is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. It was named after Civil War general Philip Kearny. As of the United States 2010 Census, the town population was 40,684. The town is a suburb of the nearby city of Newark....
) was a U.S. soccer forward
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
who became the dominant player in U.S. leagues during the 1920s and 1930s. He spent nine seasons in the National Association Football League and another twelve in the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. He also earned two caps, scoring five goals, as a member of the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
in 1950.
Youth and early career
Although Stark was born in Scotland, he moved to the United States with his family when he was thirteen years old. His family settled in Hudson County, New JerseyHudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County is the smallest county in New Jersey and one of the most densely populated in United States. It takes its name from the Hudson River, which creates part of its eastern border. Part of the New York metropolitan area, its county seat and largest city is Jersey City.- Municipalities...
where Stark immediately began his organized soccer career with the West Hudson Juniors. Interestingly for a player who made his name as a forward
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
, Stark began as a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
with the Juniors. Stark turned professional a year later when he signed with the Scottish-Americans
Kearny Scots
The Kearny Scots are an American soccer club based in Kearny, New Jersey. The Scots have played in both the National Association Football League and the second American Soccer League. When not members of those leagues, the Scots competed in lower level city leagues...
of the National Association Football League for the 1912-1913 season. At the time he was only fourteen. He remained with the Scottish-Americans for four seasons. In 1915, the Scottish-Americans won the 1915 American Cup
1915 American Cup
The 1915 American Cup was the annual open cup held by the American Football Association. The Scottish-Americans, after two previous final appearances, won their first American Cup by overcoming the Brooklyn Celtics 1-0 in the championship game....
, defeating Brooklyn Celtic 1-0 on a Stark goal. The next season, the team lost the AFA championship game when Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel F.C.
Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...
crushed them 3-0. At the end of the 1915-1916 season, Stark moved to the Bayonne, New Jersey
Bayonne, New Jersey
Bayonne is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Located in the Gateway Region, Bayonne is a peninsula that is situated between Newark Bay to the west, the Kill van Kull to the south, and New York Bay to the east...
club Babcock and Wilcox
Babcock and Wilcox (soccer)
Babcock and Wilcox was a U.S. soccer team which had its origins as the Babcock and Wilcox company team of Bayonne, New Jersey. It spent five seasons in the National Association Football League and finished as runner up in the 1918 American Cup.-History:They were members of the New Jersey State...
.
However, World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
intervened and Stark joined the U.S. Army in 1917, briefly interrupting his career. Stark served in France.
Post war resurgence
When he returned to the U.S. in 1919, he joined Paterson F.C. which went the 1919 National Challenge Cup1919 National Challenge Cup
The 1918–19 National Challenge Cup was the sixth National Challenge cup held by the United States Football Association. Bethlehem Steel F.C. won their fourth title in a 2-0 victory over Paterson F.C..-Open Cup Bracket:Home teams listed on top of bracket...
final, losing to Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel F.C.
Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...
by a 2-0 score. Following the cup, Stark joined Bethlehem for the team’s August 10, 1919 to September 24, 1919 tour of Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. On that tour, Bethlehem went 6-2-6 (w-l-t). Stark then moved to Kearny, New Jersey
Kearny, New Jersey
Kearny is a town in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. It was named after Civil War general Philip Kearny. As of the United States 2010 Census, the town population was 40,684. The town is a suburb of the nearby city of Newark....
club Erie A.A. of the NAFBL. In a controversial decision, league officials awarded Erie A.A. the title even though Bethlehem Steel had one more point. Bethlehem Steel appealed to the U.S. Soccer Football Association which reversed the decision. Stark remained with Erie A.A., now known as Harrison Erie S. C. through the end of the 1920-1921 season, but when several teams defected to form a new league, to be known as the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
, the NAFBL folded. Stark then jumped to the New York Field Club
New York Field Club
New York F.C. was a successful early American soccer club.The club was originally a member of the amateur National Association Foot Ball League then became an inaugural member of the professional American Soccer League in 1921.The club won the Southern New York State Football Association in...
of the newly established American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
(ASL) in 1921. By this time he had gained a reputation as a prolific scorer and was sought after by several teams. In three seasons with New York F.C., Stark scored forty-five goals in sixty-nine games. In his last season with the team, he bagged nearly a goal a game when he scored twenty-one in twenty-five games.
Bethlehem Steel
In 1924, Bethlehem SteelBethlehem Steel F.C.
Bethlehem Steel Football Club was one of the most successful early American soccer clubs. Known as the Bethlehem Football Club from 1911 until 1915 when it became the Bethlehem Steel Football Club, the team was sponsored by the Bethlehem Steel corporation and played their home games first at East...
picked up Stark from New York as New York rapidly sold its players to pay significant debts. Stark’s move to Bethlehem would gain him his greatest recognition as Bethlehem moved him to center forward from the right wing position he had played with New York. Bethlehem had some of the deepest pockets in the ASL and used that money to sign several top Scottish internationals. Surrounded by talent, Stark responded by scoring sixty-seven goals in forty-four games his first season with the team. He also scored three more goals in two league cup games. The next season, Stark earned his first title with Bethlehem as the team took the 1926 National Challenge Cup
1926 National Challenge Cup
The 1925–26 National Challenge Cup was the annual open cup held by the United States Football Association now known as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.-History:...
. Bethlehem rolled over Ben Millers
Ben Millers
Ben Millers was a U.S. soccer club sponsored by the Ben W. Miller Hat Company of St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1913, it entered the St. Louis Soccer League two years later, winning seven league titles and one National Challenge Cup before its disbandment in 1935.-History:In 1913, Ben Millers...
by a score of 7-2, Stark scored three of the goals. Bethlehem went on to take the 1926-1927 ASL title, then the 1928-1929 and fall 1929 Eastern Soccer League titles.
In what became known as the Soccer Wars, FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
declared the ASL and “outlaw league” in 1927. Reasons for this centered around a dispute between the ASL and FIFA/USSFA about control of the sport in the U.S. FIFA and USSFA demanded that all ASL teams enter the U.S. Open Cup. The ASL refused to force its teams to do so and FIFA labeled the ASL an “outlaw league”. The ASL, with U.S. federal law on its side, announced it would no longer abide by FIFA rules and would boycott FIFA events, including the U.S. Open Cup. The ASL, as one of the most competitive and highest paying leagues in the world at the time expected that many prominent international players would continue to flock to the ASL in defiance of FIFA. In order to reduce the prominence of the ASL, USSFA organized a rival league, the Eastern Soccer League in October 1928. Bethlehem Steel, in defiance of the ASL, had elected to enter the U.S. Open Cup and was suspended by the league seven games into the 1928-1929 season, leading Bethlehem to join the ESL. Stark, and Bethlehem Steel, would remain in the ESL for two seasons before returning to the ASL for the team’s final season. However, neither Bethlehem Steel nor the ASL could withstand the financial strains imposed by this situation and the Soccer War led to the demise of the ASL and Bethlehem Steel. When Bethlehem Steel folded in 1930, Stark joined the Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen
Fall River Marksmen was a United States soccer club, based in Fall River, Massachusetts. They originally played as Fall River United before becoming known as the Marksmen after their owner, Sam Mark. During the 1920s and early 1930s they were one of the most successful soccer clubs in the United...
of a tour of Europe. However, the team faced financial difficulties and left the players stranded in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
where they returned to the U.S. as third class passengers.
End of the career
When Bethlehem Steel folded in 1930, Stark moved to the Newark AmericansNewark Americans
Newark Americans were a team in the first American Soccer League. They were founded in 1930, but folded following the spring 1932 season.-Year-by-year:-Notable players: Jim Brown Bill Carnihan Archie Stark Johnny Jaap...
for the 1930-1931 ASL season. He remained with the Americans through the demise of the ASL in 1933. However, the statistics for the last two ASL seasons have been lost and we no longer know how many goals Stark scored during them.
After the first ASL finally collapsed in 1933, Stark ended up with Kearny Irish
Kearny Celtic
The Kearny Irish is an American soccer club based in Kearny, New Jersey that was an inaugural member of the reformed American Soccer League. The club was named the Kearny Celtic beginning with the 1942/43 season.In 1944 the club won the Lewis Cup....
which joined the new American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
(ASL II) for the league’s inaugural 1933-1934 season. The Irish took the league title and Stark shared the scoring title with Razzo Carrol of the Kearny Scots
Kearny Scots
The Kearny Scots are an American soccer club based in Kearny, New Jersey. The Scots have played in both the National Association Football League and the second American Soccer League. When not members of those leagues, the Scots competed in lower level city leagues...
.
National team
In 1925, Stark earned only two caps with the U.S. national teamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
, both in games against Canada
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
. His first cap came in a 1-0 loss to Canada in Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
in June. In November, Canada came to the U.S. where Stark scored five goals as the U.S. easily dispatched its northern neighbors 6-1.
While Stark received an invitation to play on the national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
at the 1930 FIFA World Cup
1930 FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
, he declined the invitation for business reasons.
In 1950, Stark was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
National Soccer Hall of Fame
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States.-History:...
.
External links
- Bio
- Newspaper account of Nov 9, 1926 U.S. victory over Canada
- Hall of Fame bio
- ASL stats
- Cirino Antonio (Tony): US Soccer Vs The World, 1983 - ISBN 0-910641-00-5